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Ken's Sushi Japanese Restaurant
Categories: Restaurants Sushi Bars Restaurants Japanese Sushi Bars, Japanese [Edit]
2007 Division StNashville, TN 37203
(615) 321-2444
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11 am - 2 pm
Mon 5 pm - 9 pm
Tue-Thu 5 pm - 10:30 pm
Fri 10:30 am - 2 pm
Fri-Sat 5 pm - 11 pm
Sat 12 pm - 3 pm
Sun 5 pm - 10 pm
- Parking:
- Street
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
51 reviews for Ken's Sushi Japanese Restaurant
Review Highlights
"Two for one happy hour every day 5.00pm -8.00pm."
(in 5 reviews)
"...from Nashville, and always loved Ken's shrimp tempura rolls."
(in 3 reviews)
"...and I've gotten friendly service and great food every time."
(in 3 reviews)
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51 reviews in English
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Review from Sarah P.
Updated - 10/24/2011
If you are looking for a sushi dinner on a Friday night in the Midtown area without a wait, check out Ken's. A fellow yelper and I had a decent sized group at 6:30p.m. on Friday night gather at Ken's and was immediately seated. The service was awesome!
I ordered the spicy smoked salmon special which was like eating candy from hell. So delicious. I also picked up a tuna roll to calm it down. I am ever so pleased with Ken's. Again, the Christian roll is one of my favorites and fortunately for me, the hub-to-be ordered it up so I could have a bite. All in all under $20 for two. A must-visit!Listed in: Let's Talk over Lunch, More bang for your buck!, Midtown Management
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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6/15/2011
Just a quickie. Went over for lunch around 11:30 a.m. Our group was the first ones there. Sushi was… Read more »
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Review from Caroline H.
Nashville, TN
10/22/2011
Lunch special was totally (!) worth 10 bucks. I was hesitant to go with the special at first (rather than try finagling something cheaper) because a $10 lunch special at a place like this seems a bit steep. (To be fair, if it was a $9 lunch special, I wouldn't have batted an eye lash, but somehow double digits for lunch seems like a big deal).
I went for a #2 which is a noodle soup bowl, one sushi roll and a soda. I got the eel sushi, which tasted pretty decent but wasn't wrapped very tightly. For my soup, I chose the shrimp tempura soba noodle bowl which was gigantic. My lunch was really filling and pretty delicious!
Customer service was not terrible or awesome. There was some confusion with giving separate checks, remembering who ordered what and needing to place drink orders multiple times, but honestly it was kind of crowded so that's not a deal breaker.
If you're in the area, go for it! -
Review from Tim M.
8/25/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Being from LA, I'm obviously jaded and have a high standard for sushi.
Grab a lunch special - 2 rolls, seaweed salad, and drink for $10. Crunchy shrimp roll, avocado roll were decent. Spicy tuna is ok.
Pass on tuna roll, rainbow roll. -
Review from Zach G.
1/17/2012
Cheap sushi. Sake is middle of the road. If in a pinch and want sushi that's not going to wow you then this is your place to go.
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Review from Peter C.
Updated - 12/11/2011
Alright, alright, Ken's is like that "husband-material" guy who seems blase' at first glance, but the more you get to know, the more you'd like to know. Been coming here consistently for about 4 months now (mostly because of the proximity), and the chirashi and sashimi just gets better and better! A quick comparison around town makes this one of the top 5 places. The tea is served hot, the sushi fresh and cold, and I never bother with the fried stuff. The wait staff evolved from clumsy two-left-footers to elegant goddesses-with-trays. Endedame is a pleasant surprise, I can eat a whole cauldron of it. What can I say? I like progress. So, probably a 4.5 star, this review ought to balance out my tepid previous one.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/24/2011
3.5 stars. Typical college-town hangout with great service. My chirashi was quite deserving of 4-5… Read more »
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Review from Marcia M.
2/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
Grabbed lunch today for a casual business meeting because it was close by. I hadn't visited Ken's in months and remembered why...
The best thing about Ken's is the sincere staff that works there and the budget-friendly prices.
The sushi menu is pretty basic and uninspiring but the prices certainly do reflect that too. I ordered a miso soup, vegetable roll, and avocado roll and my total was a pleasant $8.
Your wallet will love Ken's frequent lunch card, 2 for 1 happy hour, and
$1 sushi dinner special but will your taste-buds?
If I lived or worked in the neighborhood, I could see stopping in for a quick and easy sushi fix but since I don't, it isn't a viable option for me. -
Review from Rocky K.
Long Beach, CA
5/27/2011
We were fortunate enough to have the restaurant practically to ourselves, because over 15 of us ate around 9PM on a Tuesday night. Plus, a few of us ordered in advance.
One thing I hate about some restaurants is that they tend to bring everything out at or around the same time. I know that the staff was light that night, but everything came out evenly throughout the night. The table was never really that cluttered, and they kept our drinks full, which is very important to me.
The best thing I had was the miso soup. Really? It seems so simple! But really, it was effin' delicious.
I ordered a variety of other sushi, all very good (you have to try the Melinda roll) but my other favorite was the poke bowl. Moist ingredients and refreshing taste (but make sure to ask for lettuce instead of rice so you don't get TOO full).
We left the restaurant pretty late, but the service and food were so good that we didn't even notice. We left the servers a hefty tip. Tom, JP, and Deme were amazing servers.
Thanks and I can't wait to come back! -
Review from MIke J.
Nashville, TN
9/30/2011
OK, I will be the first to admit that the sushi rolls here are average at best. That being said, we keep coming back. We love the atmosphere, the service is friendly, and Ken's represents a great overall value. Think of it as the anti-Virago. Happy hour until 7:00 PM Monday - Friday, which means half-off draft beer and sake.
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Review from janet s.
8/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
A-Ok. This is one of our go to feel good places. It just got a swanky new red paint job outside so you can't miss it. Nothing fancy here, a front and a back space for dining as well as the bar. Two for one happy hour every day 5.00pm -8.00pm. Limited menu, but good inari, sashimi and agadashi tofu and of course the famous sushi pizza. Some premium sakes available. Friendly service with Ken wielding his knife at the bar. We always feel like to get a lot for our money here and come away relaxed. If it is packed then service gets backed up, but hey whose in a rush on Sunday night?
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Review from Wes T.
Memphis, TN
12/9/2011
Bargain sushi, good taste, average service. Parking is typically easy to find out on the meters. The atmosphere is nothing special; budget surroundings, college type of place (Vanderbilt area). Still worth trying.
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Review from Chucky T.
Nashville, TN
12/5/2011
I like Ken's for good inexpensive sushi. I've eaten there for years and it's a great deal. There fish is always fresh and tasty. It's not very trendy or upscale, but if you're looking for value this is a good bet.
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Review from Lucy M.
Los Angeles, CA
10/16/2010
It's exactly what you need if you're fiending for sushi and don't have a lot of dough. I was really sold on the Sushi Pizza (baked) for a while and then had a bad experience once with it (mayonnaise overload), but I don't hold it against them.
They consistently come through if you're looking for something crunchy and not complicated. Give the sushi pizza a try!Listed in: Nashville
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Review from Kaleena 'Kala' H.
Nashville, TN
7/21/2011
Ken's is a great place to go to for a quick lunch, especially on a day if you are running errands and such. I went there recently with my boyfriend while running errands, and ordered two sushi rolls, rice and salad...all of which were good. Very affordable if you are on a budget. The only reason I give it 4 stars is for the variety of sushi offers, which really isn't that much.
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Review from Heather F.
Austin, TX
9/6/2010
Ken's. Because you were one of the few restaurants open on Labor Day in Nashville, and because you were probably the only sushi restaurant open on Labor Day I give you an extra star.
Also, because you are a Japanese sushi restaurant and you are named the apple pie name of "Ken" I give you another star.
This means I rate your sushi "meh" or 2 stars. Honestly, it isn't bad sushi. I have had much worse. It is just very average. Your menu is very simple.
The location of Ken's is right near Vanderbilt University so this is an easy place to pop in and get a bite of sushi. The budget is PERFECT for college kids. Case in point: All lunch sushi specials are only $10 and this includes appetizer, 2 rolls and soft drink. Example, I had 2 rolls, seaweed salad and drink for this price. My friend had 2 rolls, salad, miso soup and soft drink for the same price of $10. What a bargain!!
If you want simple and cheap sushi in Nashville eat here. -
Review from samuel e.
Mt Juliet, TN
3/1/2011
Many may disagree, but they have the best sushi hands down and best prices. May not be the nicest or classiest place, but you can't beat the taste or the cost.
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Review from Brian S.
Stanford, CA
1/28/2010
Full disclosure: I don't think a person should review a sushi restaurant without revealing just how much of a "real" sushi fan they are. Saying a place rocks or sucks all based on the California roll you had isn't really fair. By the same token, while my sushi experience goes beyond rolls, I'm actually not a fan of most of the things that hardcore lovers enjoy, such as mackerel and octopus. I generally stick to tuna, salmon, and the more mild fish.
The biggest positive: price. The happy hour drink specials, often 2-for-1, are great. Prices are certainly less than nearby Virago or Sushiyobi.
The sushi quality is fine. Not stellar, but not bad. My companion one evening got a piece she really didn't like, but that may or may not have been personal preference. I personally had no problems with anything I ordered. The rice beds for the sushi are also packed reasonably tightly -- something I appreciate at the end of the meal as I look at my soy sauce roll.
Will I go to Ken's again? Maybe. It's probably not tops on my list, and since it's actually not hard to find hole-in-the-wall sushi places that are decent anymore, you have more options. If I lived nearby, I'd probably go on occasion, just to feed the craving while saving a few bucks.Listed in: Nashvegas Ethnic Food
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Review from Kyla A.
9/18/2008
Wow. Okay. Judging by the enthusiasm in the other reviews Ken's must have stepped back up the quality of their menu. But it doesn't matter; I'm done. I went to Vandy so naturally I ate a lot of meals at Ken's. We used to go because the back room allowed smoking (before the law change of course) so we could settle our stomachs half way through a sushi binge. The menu was pretty basic but they had perfected the crunchy shrimp roll. The tempura vegetables were also amazing, especially the sweet potatoes.
But then, one day, without explanation, our meal was very sub-par. The lack of freshness we experienced became the norm on subsequent visits. On two separate occasions friends at my table found bugs in their food. It was incredibly nasty. We discovered Samurai soon after and have never returned from the safety of our new retreat.
I'm glad to hear that the type of experiences of late are more reminiscent of Ken's prime because the location can't be beat. -
Review from Anna A.
Nashville, TN
1/17/2009
Soooooo, I have to be frank that the sushi is just good. however, the prices are really really great. The service is quick as well so that's a plus.
I have tried a few things on the menu and suggest you stick with the rolls, especially the basic ones like Crunchy shrimp and California rolls. The tempera stuff is pretty good too.
All in all, the inside of the restaurant is just ok. It's not anything fancy but it's very nice. It gets crowded at lunch especially. -
Review from Megan C.
10/19/2010 4 Check-ins Here
Does Ken's have the best sushi in Nashville? Well, probably not, but that doesn't stop it from being my favorite sushi restaurant. Their menu is simple and they've got great specials. Ken's feels like "my sushi restaurant." It's very 'mom and pop,' simple, and un-fussy. In contrast to the harsh lights and techno beats you'll encounter at some other places in town, Ken's is much more low key. And, honestly, I actually prefer my sushi that way, without the smoke and mirrors. I don't need my maki to be topped with crazy things...I just want a yellow tail, spicy tuna, or salmon avocado roll, perhaps with side soup or salad and an order of edemame. I've gone here with dates, friends, and giant groups of people, and I've gotten friendly service and great food every time.
Listed in: I love me some ethnic food...
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Review from Nicolas H.
Chicago, IL
4/25/2006
Best Sushi in town.
Once you've finished with your meal, head on over to Ken's Karaoke Box for the best Karaoke in town... -
Review from Todd G.
Nashville, TN
12/9/2010
Always first rate sushi, decor low budget but functional. Sit in the back room for a quieter experience. Sushi bar seats just 6, but sometimes available when the tables are full. Sushi chefs super attentive, wait staff a little overworked.
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Review from Double L.
Chicago, IL
4/21/2008
Ken's is the jam. Nothing fancy or amazing but very good, tasty grub at a reasonable price. Clientele seemed to skew more towards the Vanderbilt crowd, so if you are looking for atmosphere definitely not the spot.
The have Orion beer, which if you are someone who enjoys beer like myself was very exciting for me. It is very, very rare to find someplace that serves that and it puts almost every other Japanese beer to shame, Hachiko excluded. The also have a very decent Sake selection and pretty reasonably priced as well.
The sushi was nothing earth shattering. It was good and fresh. Prices were very good as well and the service was fast and friendly.
Fried Ice Cream was good too.
Would definitely hit up Mr. Ken again.
Nice one, Nashville.
RrL -
Review from Mookie L.
Chicago, IL
9/16/2010
Found this place through doing some research on Yelp and was pleasantly surprised. The place and decor is nothing special but if you're here for tasty but cheap sushi ($4 for spicy tuna rolls) and specials, this is the place. For 2 people we ordered 5 or 6 rolls, miso soup, some other sides and and the bill was under $50. They have 2 for 1 happy hour drink specials during the week and the employees are very friendly. i highly recommend Ken's and plan on going every week :)
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Review from Sarah M.
Nashville, TN
2/6/2010
This is my LEAST favorite places to get sushi in Nashville. The prices are not great, but aren't bad, but I would compare the sushi to getting the sushi from Kroger. Mind you, I buy the Kroger sushi and like it, but it is not the mouth watering amazingness that many other places in Nashville can offer. And I assure you, the prices at Ken's aren't Kroger comparable.
I agree with Brian S. that sushi reviews should be based on true sushi lovers. I am a reviewer of roll sushi and love it all-tuna, salmon, crab, mackral, octopus, shrimp...you name it. If you are just in it for the Calofornia Rolls, Ken's is good--the sushi is comparable to the Kroger generic and the lay out is kinda sucky. -
Review from hobo s.
Huntsville, AL
8/30/2009
I've never had a bad experience at Ken's. The sushi is good, at least everything I've had has been; and I have had most of the sushi menu at one point or another. It isn't life changing but it isn't bad either, and it has always been fresh. The bento box and tempura options are also tasty if those are more your speed.
Service can be slow when it gets busy, but it has never been a real issue. I will keep coming back when I am in the area. -
Review from JD M.
Nashville, TN
3/5/2010
I will disclose I am an avid sushi eater, and have been eating it for over 20 years. I have also eaten A LOT of good and bad sushi from all over the country since I have to travel so much.
I've only been in Nashville 6 months and have already eaten at 6 of the sushi places in town.
This place actually surprised me a bit because I expected it to be so bad. But it just wasn't.
Definitely, far from being the best or even very good. But they offer a solid piece of nigiri with some decent rolls. I gave it an extra star because of the price. I don't know where most of you go to eat sushi, but this place has some of the cheapest sushi I've eaten. (I find paying almost $20 for a roll at Virago an insult. And who the hell would throw a strawberry in there?!)
Being able to fill my belly for under $15 is hard to beat even if it's not the best sushi around. Sometimes mediocrity is good enough. -
Review from Matt C.
Chicago, IL
10/15/2007
This is the best sushi in Nashville. I moved to Chicago from Nashville recently and I have been unable to replicate the pure deliciousness of said items.
The service is always reliable (although they certainly seem to only hire attractive females, nothing wrong with that.) They keep daily dessert and beer specials also. I've had many a japanese beer at this retaurant, as well as local faves such as Yazoo.
All in all, if you're in the Nashville area and craving sushi, DEFINITELY check this place out. And best of all, it's right down the street from Great Escape, the coolest record/comic book shop in the city. So go eat sushi, drink beer, and go buy that ninja turtle figure you've been wanting since you were nine. -
Review from Carrie S.
Oakland, CA
11/22/2006
I am biased. I'm from Nashville, and always loved Ken's shrimp tempura rolls. In fact, this is what I choose as my last meal on Earth, in the off-case that I actually get to choose, which actually is not a good thing (being that I'd prolly be electrocuted or something shortly thereafter). Anyhow, I choose Ken's because they have the best shrimp tempura rolls ever! Okay, enough of that.
Every time I go home to visit I have to stop by Ken's because it's what I crave when not at home. The rolls I get are always very small, but very tasty and have the yummy Japanese mayo, which I love. And Always with a few bottle of warm sake (shared with friends, okay) which makes it even greater.
The front non-smoking room is always really packed, so we usually sit in the back smoking room with the large wooden benches. Last time I went they were playing J.Lo or something, which really takes away from the atmosphere. So that's the complaint- the atmosphere. But it is a good place where plenty of younger people (as in early-20s) tend to frequent for the (delicious) really inexpensive sushi. A lot of my friends disagree that this is the best of a place. But I think it's fantastic! -
Review from Sunshine G.
San Rafael, CA
1/9/2008
I'm in town visiting my grandma and my cousins suggested we meet them at Ken's for lunch. It took a little coaxing to get her into the sushi idea, but we were delighted to discover all the other options they had for the non-raw fish eater.
You certainly won't be wowed by their decor as there isn't any, really, but the sushi was super fresh and the value was pretty superb. I was hoping for more of the fancy-schmancy rolls, but then again, I come from CA, the land of who can outdo who when it comes to interesting rolls. We did try the Nashville Roll. They wrapped the outer seaweed layer with a thinly sliced strip of cucumber, which gave the texture a little bit extra. The miso soup rocked..and I'm a picky miso soup eater. The service was on point. We even got egg rolls for my grandma, in a
Japanese restaurant. She was tickled pink.
Although I haven't had the opportunity to check out to many sushi spots in Nashville, I give this place kudos. Craving raw fish, go to Ken's. -
Review from Andrew G.
Nashville, TN
6/18/2010
The most rockin sushi around. Five stars if it smelled better. :) But I love it anyway.
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Review from Frank M.
Nashville, TN
8/4/2011
While Ken's food is only middle of the road in regards to taste, it is very cheap. This allows one to try several different rolls without breaking the bank. The service is also great. Overall, a good place to hang out with friends and enjoy decent food.
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Review from Sam W.
Brooklyn, NY
8/21/2010
Ken's is a really easy place. As far as Nashville sushi places go it's average, but it stands out as the best for those on a budget. The service is great, the atmosphere is very non-demanding, and it's always easy to get a seat. The food is all good, with the nigiri crab and eel standing out as great. Ken's isn't the right place to take a date, but it'll become a regular haunt before you know it.
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Review from Lindsey S.
San Francisco, CA
1/29/2007
I live in Memphis and I still crave Ken's sushi!!! Every time I come to Nashvegas I pay good ole Ken's a visit. In Memphis, the big sushi place is Sekesui- Ken's has better quality ingredients that are always fresh for half the price. By far, my favorite restaurant in Nashville. The parking sucks and you have to circle forever but it's worth it. I've never tried a roll that I didn't like and the red bean ice cream is to die for. It sounds weird I know but order it at least once- you won't be sorry. The sushi is indescribably amazing but if you go you'll know exactly what I'm talking about- it's superb!
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Review from Caitlin D.
Nashville, TN
4/27/2007
The stars would be less if this were a sushi restaurant in a place with more options. That said, it's definitely not the worst I've had in Nashville. I agree with the previous review, it's standard quality. I ordered a teryaki beef bowl once for lunch, and I can promise that I make it better with bottled sauce. The sushi is harder to ruin, so you'll fare alright... Again, though, I've yet to find a better option nearby.
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Review from Judson R.
Nashville, TN
10/18/2010
Nice $10 lunch special. Good variety of options. I just got two rolls (8 pieces each), edamame, and a soft drink all for 10 bux. Delicious and cheap!
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Review from Mariela C.
San Francisco, CA
11/15/2008
This place can only be described as mediocre. Mostly, it's popularity is derived from the fact that car lacking Vandy students can just walk over, however, if you aren't heading there because its close to you, don't bother. Though for the most part the service staff has been nothing but friendly to me, it takes forever to get food that is not worth waiting for. I heard when the original Ken was around this place used to run much better, but now that he is not, the place runs pretty poorly. It does have a great seating arrangement, but again really mediocre sushi.
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Review from kristen p.
Godley, TX
1/26/2008
Don't expect anything fancy here. Ken's Sushi is average. It's good sushi at a decent price. The service is attentive and the sushi chef's were friendly.
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Review from Joe C.
Newport Beach, CA
2/1/2007
Ken offers good sushi for an affordable price. Servers are pretty attentive too. Hard to find a parking though!
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Review from michael m.
Hermosa Beach, CA
1/21/2008
This is where you would go if you went to Vanderbilt and wanted to eat "good" sushi. Having since lived in New York and LA, it's just alright, nothing to brag about, but for a Nashville crowd, this is where you went to show your date you had a little more class or culture (than Taste of Tokyo, which was always more fun).
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Review from Jason N.
Hermitage, TN
5/15/2007
Ken's is good and dependable. The sushi pizza is a cool alternative to traditional sushi. I like the different options for salad dressing as well. The atmosphere is less than desirable but the food will make you overlook that.
